DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 412/08
Saturday, 20 December 2008
ARUNTA RESCUES BADLY INJURED FRENCH SAILOR
The crew of the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Arunta has successfully rescued
the badly injured skipper of a yacht in challenging conditions in the Indian Ocean,
approximately 850 nautical miles off the Western Australian coast.
Frenchman Yann Elies was competing in the round-the-world ‘Vendee Globe’ yacht
race when he suffered a broken femur.
Race officials had classed Mr Elies as being in a life-threatening condition.
Using a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat, specially trained crew from HMAS Arunta
extracted Mr Elies from his yacht, Generali, earlier this evening.
A doctor from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, embarked in the Anzac-Class frigate,
has begun administering emergency medical treatment.
The ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Stephen Bowater said his crew has
displayed exceptional professionalism during the two days to reach the French sailor.
“From receiving the order to deploy late on Thursday evening to sailing out of HMAS
Stirling in the very early hours of Friday morning, we only had a precious few hours
to get the ship operational,” Commander Bowater said.
“This was achieved without compromise to the safety of the crew or the operation of
the ship.
“We have proven again that the Navy constantly maintains the ability to respond at
short notice to emergency situations.”
CMDR Bowater said Mr Elies is receiving excellent medical care from the RFDS
doctor and is resting comfortably.
HMAS Arunta is now returning to port, where Mr Elies will be transferred to a
civilian hospital.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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